Respiratory Pathology Flashcards
Disorders of the Bronchi & Lungs
What does Pleural space normally contain?
5-10 ml of clear fluid, which lubricates the opposing surfaces of the visceral and the parietal pleura during respiratory movements.
How is Pleural fluid formed
The formation of the fluid results from hydrostatic and osmotic pressures
What causes Fluid accumulation?
due to pathology present usually due to infection and/or cancer.
Effusions are either classified as …. ?
exudates or transudates.
Describe TRANSUDATE effusions.
Low protein
Low specific gravity
Low cellular content
What are they caused by?
an imbalance of hydrostatic and oncotic pressure
What are transudate effusions associated with?
kidney, heart or liver failure, or hypoalbuminaemia
Describe EXUDATE effusions
High protein content
High specific gravity
What are they caused by?
the increased permeability of capillaries, which can occur when the serous membranes are damaged by a disease process
Metastatic malignancy, infections, connective tissue diseases (e.g. SLE, rheumatoid disease), and inflammatory conditions (e.g. pancreatitis).
what are the consequences of Fluid or air that accumulates in the pleural space?
will reduce lung expansion and lead to respiratory compromise and hypoxia
Why is Thoracocentesis carried out?
is done to try and find the cause of a pleural effusion; it may also be done to help you to breathe easier.
What can Cytologic examination of the pleural fluid reveal?
cancer cells (poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma).
Why would an abdominal CT scan be done?
could reveal hepatomegaly and diffuse lymphadenopathy.
What is Hepatomegaly?
enlarged liver.
Non specific clinical finding
What can the Causes include?
infection, hepatic tumours, or metabolic disorder
What is the clinical significance of Lymphadenopathy?
Sometimes can mean serious illness, however it is usually a result of benign infectious causes
What is an Coroners autopsy (post mortem examination)?
Carried out because the cause of death is unknown, or following a sudden, violent or
unexpected death
To decide whether a legal investigation (inquest) is needed
What is Hospital post mortem?
to find out more about an illness or the cause of death, or to further medical research and understanding
Granulomatous Inflammation
what are FOREIGN BODY GRANULOMAS caused by?
Caused by relatively inert foreign bodies.
Foreign body granulomas form around materials such as talc, sutures, or other fibres that are large enough to not be phagocytosed.
What is there an Absence of?
inflammatory or immune response.
How can the foreign material can usually be identified?
in the centre of the granuloma, particularly if viewed with polarized light.
What are IMMUNE GRANULOMAS Caused by?
a variety of agents that are capable of inducing a persistent T cell mediated immune response.
Immune response produces granulomas usually when the inciting agent is difficult to eradicate, e.g. persistent microbe or a self antigen.
Macrophages activate T cells to produce cytokines, which activates other T cells, perpetuating the response.
Other diseases with granulomatous inflammation
What does acid fast stain (ZN) identify?
If see Reddish rods
are acid fast bacteria - Mycobacterium tuberculosis
What is A granuloma?
a circumscribed collection of epithelioid cells, usually surrounded by lymphocytes; it is a particular form of chronic inflammation
What’s the difference between granulation tissue and granulomatous inflammation?
Granulation tissue contains new small blood vessels, fibroblasts, and mononuclear cells in an oedematous extracellular matrix; it is part of the repair response.
Do granulomas in different organs look different?
Granulomas look similar regardless of the organ.